House numbering device



Nov. 10, 1931.

C. M. KOSTER HOUSE NUMBERING DEVI CE Filed Sept.

Fla. 4

IIIIIIIIIL IIIII A INVENTOR. Carl M. Koster A TTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 10, 1931 CARL M. xosTEn-or wrcnrre... Kansas.

nonsn NUMBER-rive DEV-ion Application filed September 30, 1929. Serial No. 396.096.

My invention relates to a house numbering house numbering device subject. to illumina tion.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a house numbering device with removable and interchangeable numbers.

A still further object of my invention is to 1. provide a house numbering device that will illuminate the steps at the entrance to the house.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a house numbering device having a reflector used to intensify the illumination of the numbers and through a light exit in the bottom thereof for a step illumination simultaneously.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a house numbering device having a removable lid as a supporting means for.

the reflector and a covering means for the slot, in which the number bearing panels are positioned.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a house numbering device that is inexpensive, ornamental and eflicient with respect to its function.

These and other objects will be more fully explained as this description progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which like characters apply to like parts in the different views.

Referring to the drawings; Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the house numbering device. Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken along line IIII in Fi 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the device. Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of one end of Fig. 3.

My invention herein disclosed is for the purpose of providing a house numbering device that is visible in the daylight by its natural external appearance and by night, the indicia of which are intensified through the medium of illumination by electric lamps,

and a. suitable reflector as an intensifyingmeans for the lamps. The invention also affords illumination for steps over which'it may be vertically positioned and being at tached to the freize of aporch. or may be attached to the body of the house. having merely a terrace and the usual type of porch eliminated.

The arrangement of my invention herein disclosed consists of a frame 1, having'a marginal extension as a convenient means'for attaching to the freiz'e of a porch or other convenient position by inserting screws 2 spaced therearo-und. The housing structure consists of a margin frame 3 extending around the front thereof and having cleats and 4" rearward-lay positioned and in parallelism and being spaced'apart to receive a plurality of glass panels 5, the panels having numerals placed thereon, which are preferably formed, by the application of an opaque paint like substance except over the body of the figures which remain translucent. It is understoodthat the surface of the glass panels is preferably a sand blast or ground finish as a light d ifiu-sing means.

Fig. 1 is: shown a suggestion asto each panel, by which means the desired number may: be properly assembled and all being placed by sliding them vertically through an elongated slot, between the marginal member 3' and the cleat- 4t as shown in Fig. 2. The joints between the panels are covered by a bar'vertically positioned and having their ends attached to cleats 4 and 4" respectively by which means the light is obscured from the joints. The lower ends of the panels rest on the shoulder A of cleat 4 The ends of the said cleats. being attached to their respec tive end members 6 of the housing, the said end members extending through the frame 1 and. being attached thereto by means of a plurality of headed pins 7 or the like.

In the bottom of the housing is an elongate-d opening 8t'as shown in Figs. 2 and 4', functioning as an exit for light reflection for illuminating the steps positioned thereunder and as a closure therefor I havepl'aced a glass panel 9. which hasits bearing on the frame like structure consisting efa member having an inturned flange as at 10 and 10. The rear edge of the panel is clamped by a cleat 11 which is preferably Z shaped cross-sectionally and attached to the frame simultaneously with the member having a flange 10.

front wall and having the rear end extending into the openin of said frame, a window in the bottom of the casing, a curved reflector having one edge secured to the under side of the cover near the front thereof and having The glass panel 9 may be clear or sand blastsits main portion extending above and behind at the discretion of the manufacturer.

' The top of the housing is closed by a lid element 12, the inner edge of which extends through the opening of the frame 1. The

opposite side and each end thereof have a flange B to engage snugly on the outside of the top of the housing, it being understood that the said lid is removably arranged and having attached thereto an arcuate reflector 13 as shown in Fig. 2 by which means the reflection of the light will be .towards the numerals and through the glass panel in the bottom. The reflector being attached to the lid is a convenient means for removal for the purpose of polishing the same.

In each end of the housing is a light socket.

14 to which electric feeders are attachedand each socket adapted to receive a lamp 15 as illuminating means for the housing. \Vhile I have shown lamps installed, a tube like structure may extend longitudinally through the housing as a light distributing means and preferably wired in accordance with the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 5, there being a switch 16 convenientily placed for the control of the light. Vhile my disclosure is drawn to a house numbering device, I do not Wish to be confined to the same as the principle may be applied to business blocks, street.

naming or traffic control, or any place or any function where illuminated indicia may be applied and required.

Such modifications may be employed as lie within the scope of the appended claims and having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a house numbering device, a rectangular elongated casing having an open top and a display opening in front, translucent number bearing plates in the display opening,

means for illumination behind the said num-.

ber plates, a flanged cover slidably supported on the end walls and the front wall, a'curved.

reflector having one edge secured to the under side of the cover at the front thereof, and its inaln portion extending above and to the rear of the illuminating means, and means for securing the rear of the casing to a support.

2. In a house numbering device, an elon-' gated rectangular casing open at the top and having a display opening in the front wall, light-transmitting number plates in said window, lamps carried by the end walls, a supporting frame having an opening therein, the rear ends of the bottom wall and of the end walls extending into said opening and being secured to said frame, a flanged cover slidably supported by the end walls and the ture.

CARL M. KOSTER. 

